GOP senator supports gay marriage after learning his son is gay

In this Jan. 14, 2009 file photo, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, with (from left), his wife Jane, daughter Sally and son Will after annoucing his run for U.S. Senate. Portman who was previously against gay marriage has reversed his stance after learning his son is gay. (DAVID KOHL / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The real revelation behind this is that the most staunchly conservative politician can change views in a heartbeat the moment a social issue becomes personal. Which means, of necessity, that the original view (probably shared by the overwhelming majority of conservatives) was not validly formed.

One all-too-influential party has a dangerously restrictive view of who constitutes the “worth defending” element of our national community. As we’ve seen, it’s a view born mainly in willful ignorance.

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